Rangers were dismantled and embarrassed 3-1 by Club Brugge last night at Ibrox in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie with the Belgians.
Russell Martin’s side were all over the place, with the entire team seemingly off their game. The performance, particularly in the first half, was both unexpected and unacceptable.
First team regulars like Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell and, most notably, Mohammed Diomande were all well below the standards demanded by the Ibrox faithful.
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Two players, however, could leave the pitch with their heads held high. Djeidi Gassama was impactful and brave throughout, refusing to give up and consistently driving at the Brugge defence in search of a breakthrough.
The winger played a major part in Danilo’s consolation strike to make it 3-1, came close with a well-struck effort from range, and was cruelly denied a second when VAR ruled it out for a foul on Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mingolet.
Another standout was Jayden Meghoma. The 19-year-old left-back was thrust into his Rangers debut just over a day after joining on a season-long loan from Brentford.
His introduction was far from easy, with Rangers collapsing to a three-goal deficit inside 20 minutes while the defence and goalkeeper looked completely at sea.
Meghoma recovered well, however, matching the physicality of the Brugge wingers and showing confidence to push forward.
He was rewarded with an assist for Danilo’s goal and offered a glimpse of a potentially dangerous partnership with Gassama down the left-hand side.
After the match, Meghoma took to social media to thank the supporters, writing: “Not the result we wanted, but an incredible feeling making my home debut for Rangers in front of the amazing Ibrox crowd.
“Thank you for the unbelievable support and we go again on Sunday against St Mirren.”
Ultimately, though, there was no hiding from the bigger picture: this was a damaging and humbling night for Rangers.
With two goals to overturn away in Belgium, Martin’s men face a monumental challenge if they are to keep their UEFA Champions League dream alive.